DARK VOYAGE

THE NEXT ONE TO FALL came out a month ago, and I’ve had a wonderful — and completely crazy — ride with it so far. I had a terrific launch party at New York’s Mysterious Bookshop, headed down to the Southwest to tour, then up to Ontario for more events, including a phenomenal Canadian launch party at Ben McNally Books. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of the stores who have hosted me, reviewers who’ve written about the book, and to everyone who has been so supportive. I’m just about to hit the road again for a tour that will take me to Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, Sacramento (for Left Coast Crime), San Francisco, and Berkeley. As you can probably imagine, I can’t wait!

Feeling thankful for everything that’s happening now reminded me that I wanted to put the acknowledgments for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL online. I know I have a whole raft of new news to include next time around, but I wanted to say thanks again to the many, many people who’ve helped me on the road to publishing the book.

Acknowledgments for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL:

If I started a novel with a character who’s deeply in debt, you know he or she would end up burying a body, committing a heist, or participating in some mayhem. In my own case, I’m forever indebted to a long list of amazing people, and I consider myself blessed. My editor, Paul Stevens, never ceases to amaze me with his brilliant insights, gentle humor, and thoughtful ways. The entire Tor/Forge team deserves a round of applause for all of their hard work, especially Miriam Weinberg, Aisha Cloud and Patty Garcia. I’m grateful to many at Macmillan, in particular Talia Sherer. A big thank you to my agent, Judith Weber, and to everyone at Sobel Webel Associates for all of their work on my behalf and for their ongoing assistance.

I’m so grateful to all of the bookstores and libraries that have supported my work. Special thanks to Barbara Peters at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale; Lesa Holstine at the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, AZ; Marian Misters and J.D. Singh at Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto; Bobby McCue and Linda Brown at the now closed — and very much missed — Mystery Bookstore in Los Angeles; Allison Robinson and Dustin Kurtz at McNally Jackson in New York City; Mary Alice Gorman and Richard Goldman at Mystery Lovers in Pittsburgh; Scott Montgomery at BookPeople in Austin; Ed Kaufman at M Is for Mystery in San Mateo, CA; Charline Spektor at BookHampton in East Hampton, NY; and Sally Owen at the Mysterious Bookshop in NYC. A big thank you to the entire staff at Partners & Crime in NYC, where I had the launch party of my dreams. I’m sorry I never got to meet David Thompson in person, but I’ll be forever grateful for his sweet enthusiasm when I contacted him about reading at Murder by the Book in Houston; my thanks to McKenna Jordan, Kinley Paisley and everyone else at the store for their warm welcome.

Publishing fiction has shown me just how many people are in my corner, and I’m amazed at their efforts, awed by their tenacity, and humbled by their belief in me. Linda Fairstein has astonished me time and time again with her generosity and kindness. The Crimespree family — Jon and Ruth Jordan and Jennifer Jordan — has been unfailingly helpful and wise. Steve Weddle has been a one-man promotion machine, interviewing me in print and audio, hosting a contest, foisting my work on countless strangers, and doing so much more. Jen Forbus has overwhelmed me with her support of my work. Susan Shapiro has been a longtime source of wisdom and encouragement. I’m also thrilled that an incredible group of writers — including Megan Abbott, Ken Bruen, Reed Farrel Coleman, Ed Gorman, Jane Stanton Hitchcock, and Dennis Tafoya — took the time to read and blurb my work.

The support I’ve had from the crime-fiction community has been incredible. Some of the many I need to thank: Patti Abbott, Jedidiah Ayres, Nigel Bird, Judy Bobalik, Aldo Calcagno, Rebecca Cantrell, Lisa Cotoggio, David Cranmer, Elyse Dinh, Barna Donovan, Margery Flax, Cullen Gallagher, Kathleen Gerard, Jack Getze, Chris F. Holm, Kate Horsley, Fiona Johnson, Vince Keenan, Ray Adam Latiolais, B.V. Lawson, Sophie Littlefield, Maggie Lyons, Erin Mitchell, Lauren O’Brien, Dan O’Shea, Brad Parks, Keith Rawson, Todd Ritter, Todd Robinson, Peter Rozovsky, Kathy Ryan, L.J. Sellers, Robin Spano, Julie Summerell, Sarah Weinman, Chuck Wendig, Holly West, Elizabeth A. White, Lina Zeldovich, and Dave Zeltserman. I’m also thankful for the support of my fellow members of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Canada, International Thriller Writers, and to my pirate crew of fellow bloggers over at 7 Criminal Minds. A special shout-out to my wonderful friends on Twitter and Facebook, who keep me (passably) sane.

Others who deserve my deepest thanks: Darya Arden, Tom Best, Margaret Cannon, Suzanna Chang, Joan Chin, Beth Russell Connelly, Carolyn Cooke, Stephanie Craig, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, Jessica DuLong, Leslie Elman, Alice Feiring, Alyson Gerber, Stacey Gibson, David Hayes, Amy Klein, Jenn Lawrence, Martin Levin, Pia Lindstrom, Helen Lovekin, Louisa McCune, Michael Mejias, Ellen Neuborne, Dorri Olds, Bethanne Patrick, Tony Powell, Rich Prior, Ilana Rubel, Jenna Schnuer, Rita Silva, Trish Snyder, Charlie Suisman, Alex Robertson Textor, Kate Walter, and Royal Young.

Heartfelt thanks to all of my family and friends, who have been supportive of me from day one. A special thank you to my mother, Sheila, for never complaining about the countless pages I send her way; her sharp eyes and solid editing instincts are invaluable to me. My father, John, is a one-man cheering squad and I apologize to everyone he’s tackled and forced to buy my work. My husband, Dan, manages to encourage me while giving great criticism, a rare feat.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has come to a reading or contacted me online after reading my work. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

February 14, 2012, used to seem like a far-off date; it’s hard to believe it’s finally here. But it is, and so is THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, the sequel to THE DAMAGE DONE. The new book has already had an enthusiastic reception, for which I am truly grateful. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped me get the word out!

If you’d like to read some background about the book, I’ve been guest-blogging about it at different sites:

• Jen’s Book Thoughts: “Perfect Place for a Murder”
• Book Reviews by Elizabeth A. White: “The Ones Who Didn’t Get Away”
• Jungle Red Writers: “It’s a… Character!”

There’s also an incredibly perceptive piece by Katrina Niidas Holm over at Criminal Element — she talks about grief as a character in the book (if you haven’t read THE DAMAGE DONE, this does have a few spoilers). Also at Criminal Element: read the first three chapters online. You can also see photos I took while I was in Peru — this slideshow features many of the settings I write about in THE NEXT ONE TO FALL.

Last week I wrote about some of the early reviews the new book is getting. That list has grown longer. I’ve also been interviewed a few times. I won’t list the pieces here, but if you want to see what I’m up to, visit the “News & Reviews” page on this blog (I try to keep that up-to-date).

Thanks again for all the support. I’m looking forward to seeing some of you over the next few days at the party in New York City, and while I’m on tour (first up: Houston, Austin, Scottsdale, and Glendale!).

My second novel, THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, will be published by Forge on Tuesday, February 14th — Valentine’s Day. It’s an ironic release date, since the book features a wealthy man whose wives and other female companions have a strange habit of going missing… or turning up dead. Romantic, the book is not. But it does bring back Lily Moore, the main character from THE DAMAGE DONE, and her best friend, Jesse Robb, and it sets them loose in Peru. The book has been getting some phenomenal reviews:

Publishers Weekly: “Davidson’s exciting follow-up to her debut, 2010’s The Damage Done, takes travel journalist Lily Moore, who’s still reeling from her sister’s death in The Damage Done, to Peru… The rich history and geography of Peru add depth to an engrossing mystery that constantly keeps the reader guessing.”

Library Journal: “Davidson’s follow-up to her Anthony Award-winning debut (The Damage Done) will leave you breathless, and not just because of the Andes’ high altitude. Her determined young travel writer propels the exciting plot like a rocket. Think Jamie Freveletti’s thrillers (Running From the Devil) for no-holds-barred action and the single-mindedness of the protagonist.”

Kirkus Reviews: “An attempt to overcome grief with a trip to fascinating Machu Picchu leads to even more wild intrigue… Lily’s feelings for her sister ring painfully true, and Davidson’s rendering of Machu Picchu and Cusco would merit a pisco sour toast even from the great Jan Morris.”

The Maine Suspect: “The Next One to Fall is the sequel to author Hilary Davidson’s stellar debut, The Damage Done, and it’s quite simply a fantastic read.  Equal parts action-adventure thriller and classic paranoia tale (with a touch of Peruvian travelogue thrown in for good measure), Davidson’s latest is an intelligent, atmospheric, heart-stopping tour-de-force, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.  The prose is graceful, the pace is electric, and the mystery will keep you guessing until the very end.” — Katrina Niidas Holm

Mystery Scene: “I have never been to Peru nor have I tasted coca tea. But I had just read Anthony Award winner Hilary Davidson’s The Next One to Fall, which is so wonderfully steeped in the scenery of Peru that I could picture the country as if I had been there. Davidson shows the reader Peru’s geography, its politics, its violence and its people in ways that most travel articles do not.” — Oline Cogdill

Jen’s Book Thoughts: “Lily and Jesse suffered hardships and still have open wounds that can be easily re-opened. But their core strengths still guide them day to day. Jesse still exudes wit and charm; Lily is still thoughtful and introspective. And the relationship between the two is still shaping up to be one of the greatest in crime fiction.” — Jen Forbus

I’m also honored to say that BookPeople in Austin, Texas, has made THE NEXT ONE TO FALL the store’s Mystery Pick of the Month for February:

“Davidson is a master at character. She skillfully ties the plot to having Lily confront what she’s running from. It’s exciting to watch her find her inner strength in her darkest moments. She understands that pace is more than moving through plot points and twists as fast as you can. She allows her characters to breath, such as in a wonderful passage where Jesse discusses his homosexuality and Christian faith. It’s Davidson’s play between light and dark that make her books so fresh and prove that she is an author to keep watching and reading.” — Scott Montgomery, Crime Fiction Coordinator, MysteryPeople

Canada’s Chatelaine magazine has also selected THE NEXT ONE TO FALL as one of “February’s Best Books,” putting it in some amazing company.

I’m overwhelmed, and incredibly grateful for all of the support. There are some things I should mention.

To everyone who has pre-ordered THE NEXT ONE TO FALL: You are wonderful and I want to hug each and every one of you.

To everyone thinking about ordering the book: the pre-order contest is open through Monday, February 13th! Here’s your chance to win a character name, collection of books, or a llama. You’re also helping to support Heifer International.

To everyone in New York: you’re invited to my launch party at The Mysterious Bookshop! It’s being held on Wednesday, February 15th so that the romantics in the crowd can celebrate Valentine’s Day. The party starts at 6:30pm and everyone is welcome.

To everyone in Houston, Austin, Scottsdale, and Glendale (AZ): I’m coming to your town SOON. Please come see me while I’m visiting! The schedule:

• Friday, Feb. 17, 6:30pm: Murder by the Book, Houston
• Saturday, Feb. 18, 4pm: BookPeople, Austin
• Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7pm: The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale
• Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2pm: The Velma Teague Library, Glendale, AZ

The full tour schedule is on my website. It includes Long Island (Book Revue, Feb. 28), Toronto (Ben McNally Books, Mar. 8), Denver (Tattered Cover, Mar. 23), Los Angeles (Noir at the Bar, Mar. 25), San Diego (Mysterious Galaxy, Mar. 26), Thousand Oaks (Mysteries to Die for, Mar. 28), and San Francisco (Book Passage, April 2). There are also some conferences on that schedule, and a couple of private events. I’m hoping to see a lot of friends while I’m on tour.

In other news, I have a newsletter. Sign up now!

If you don’t already subscribe to Crimespree Magazine, now would be an excellent time to start. The awesome people who run it made me the cover story for the January/February 2012 issue, and Ruth Jordan and Jen Forbus interviewed me for the piece. I can’t vouch for my answers, but their questions were brilliant.

I’ve got a lot of things coming up, including guest blogs, Q&As and other pieces. If you’d like to see what I’m up to or what people are saying about the book, check out the News & Reviews page on the blog. I’m thrilled beyond belief that I get to do what I do. Thanks again for all of the support. I hope to see you soon!

It’s hard to believe it’s actually here, but THE DAMAGE DONE is now available in mass-market paperback! I saw it for the first time last Friday (when a box of books was delivered to my apartment and then, later in the day, on the mystery-section shelves at the Barnes & Noble in NYC’s Union Square), and I still want to jump up and down when I look at it. Forge’s amazing art department has given the book a redesigned cover, which I adore. My friend Chris F. Holm described it as my Fringe alt-universe cover, which I think sums it up perfectly. It represents the book just as beautifully as the original cover did, yet it gives it a slightly different feel.

I’m especially thrilled to have the book out in mass-market paperback, because that’s the format I grew up reading. If my family bought a book in hardcover when I was a teenager, it was probably a textbook. I bought mass-market paperbacks, and I took them everywhere with me. If you’ve been waiting to pick up THE DAMAGE DONE, I hope you’ll read it now. Keep in mind, six weeks from today the sequel, THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, will be released!

The paperback is available from every vendor who carried the hardcover. That means independent mystery booksellers across North America, as well as Macmillan, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, IndieBound, Powell’s, and — in Canada — Indigo/Chapters.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the release of the hardcover, whether by reviewing the book, buying a copy, or pushing it on all of your friends as a “gift” (I know some of you did that last one, and you get an extra-special thank you with a big hug). Without you, there wouldn’t be a paperback.

UPDATE: To say thanks for all the love that THE DAMAGE DONE has received, I’m giving some books away on GoodReads. Five paperback copies of the book are up for grabs in Canada and the US!

UPDATE 01/04/12: The amazing Jen Forbus has posted a video interview she did with me while I was visiting Pittsburgh and the Mystery Lovers Bookshop. Here’s Part One. Part Two coming soon!

I’ve been promising you llamas for a while, and it’s time to deliver. I’ve learned from authors such as Duane Swierczynski and Alafair Burke that one of the kindest things you can do for a writer is to pre-order their next book. Every so often, someone will mention — usually via Twitter or Facebook — that they’ve pre-ordered THE NEXT ONE TO FALL. This news always makes my day, but there’s a practical reason I appreciate it, too. The print run of a book is determined, in part, by pre-orders. They also have an impact on booksellers’ willingness to stock a book. Erin Mitchell has written a terrific post about why pre-orders matter, and why they can really make a difference for an author.

I’d like to show my appreciation by paying some of that love forward. So, for every copy of THE NEXT ONE TO FALL you pre-order before the publication date (February 14, 2012) — and tell me about (details below) — I will donate a dollar to Heifer International. Why that charity? Heifer lets you “buy” llamas and alpacas for communities in need in countries such as Peru, where the novel is set. I can’t (legally) mail-order a llama to you, but we can make sure some communities in need get one.

I’ve also got prizes! When you pre-order THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, you’ll be eligible to win one of the following prizes:

• A character name in my fourth novel, which will be published by Forge. I can’t promise whether you’ll be good or evil, but you (or a loved one) will be immortalized in print. And I’ll try not to kill you, fictionally speaking (no promises, though).
• A collection of signed anthologies my short stories have appeared in, including THUGLIT PRESENTS BLOOD GUTS & WHISKEY, D*CKED, and A PRISONER OF MEMORY & 24 OF THE YEAR’S FINEST CRIME & MYSTERY STORIES.
• A vintage silver pin, made in Peru, featuring — what else? — llamas! (You know how Lily Moore feels about vintage things.)

Still need to be persuaded to pre-order? Let Publishers Weekly talk you into it. Here’s what they had to say about THE NEXT ONE TO FALL: “Davidson’s exciting follow-up to her debut, 2010’s The Damage Done… The rich history and geography of Peru add depth to an engrossing mystery that constantly keeps the reader guessing.” You can also check out the advance praise the book has received from Laura Lippman, Meg Gardiner, and Reed Farrel Coleman.

It doesn’t matter whether you pre-order the book at a brick-and-mortar store or online (but check out the list of awesome indie stores I’ll be visiting on tour). Email a copy of your pre-order receipt, along with your mailing address, to preorder AT hilarydavidson DOT com. If you pre-order more than one copy of the book, be sure to let me know — not only will you have my undying gratitude, but you’ll get a contest entry for each copy you pre-order. To be eligible for a prize, you must have a mailing address in the US or Canada.

THE NEXT ONE TO FALL will be published in the US and Canada on February 14, 2012. I’ll be doing the prize draw that day, so get your pre-order emailed to me before then. Many, many thanks to everyone who takes part!

UPDATE: A few people have asked if the contest only applies to hardcover sales. It’s for pre-orders in all formats — hardcover, eBook, and audiobook!

It’s been an exciting fall for me. I’ve been busy working on a new novel, some short fiction, and a novella. I’ve had the incredible pleasure of speaking at the first-ever QuebeCrime festival and the seventh annual Murder & Mayhem in Muskego. (The photo is from Muskego; I’m with my fantastic panel-mates Megan Abbott, Sean Chercover, Jen Forbus, and Martyn Waites.) I’ve been setting up my book tour for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL, which will be released on Valentine’s Day 2012; the tour is still a work-in-progress, but I know I’ll be returning to great bookstores in Houston, Scottsdale, and Toronto, and visiting new-to-me stores in Austin, Denver, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Also, I’ve been planning a trip to Israel for my day job. I’m thrilled that THE DAMAGE DONE will be released in paperback in January 2012. In case that weren’t enough good news, some very nice people have been writing unusually kind things about me (yes, I’m looking at you, Jen Forbus and Jacques Filippi). I owe a lot of people some very big thank yous. Expect hugs when I see you.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been telling people I have a GoodReads giveaway of THE NEXT ONE TO FALL planned. Well, it’s no longer a plan — it’s a reality! There are 10 advance reading copies available to GoodReads members who live in the US or Canada. (If you’re not already a GoodReads member, consider joining — it’s a wonderful place to connect with readers and writers, and it’s free.) Just click on the “Enter to Win” button, make sure that GoodReads has your current mailing address, and you’re instantly entered. The giveaway closes on November 30, 2011… which, I’m hoping, will give the winners the time to read (and, fingers crossed, rate/review) the book before it comes out on Feburary 14, 2012.

By the way, there’s a pre-order contest for THE NEXT ONE TO FALL in the works, too. It’s going to open up as the GoodReads giveaway ends. While it’s too early to share details, it’s not too early for rumors: I can neither confirm nor deny that llamas are involved.

My life has been a little crazy lately. There are plenty of wonderful reasons for that, but there are also a few tough ones. In that latter category are issues related to my father-in-law’s health and living arrangements (he collapsed almost two weeks ago and is still in hospital, though he’s doing better now).

If anything, dealing with the tough stuff has made me more grateful than ever for the fabulous people in my life. What would I do without you guys? I’m also particularly thankful for what’s going on with work. A few of the highlights:

Bouchercon in St. Louis: This was, hands down, the best party I’ve been to in my life. I got to see friends (some in person for the first time) and meet so many terrific people. I hung out with people who love crime fiction as much as I do and I stayed up late every night. I was on panels with writers I admire, and through the four days of the convention I had more fangirl moments than I can count. If you’re on Facebook, check out my “Bouchercon 2011 St. Louis” album for evidence of the criminally good time that was had by all! (A huge, heartfelt thank you to Jon and Ruth Jordan, Judy Bobalik, Jennifer Jordan, Jeremy Lynch, Jen Forbus and everyone else who did do much to make this Bouchercon spectacular. You know David Thompson is smiling.)

Award news: The Damage Done won the Crimespree Award for Best First Novel at the Bouchercon opening ceremonies, then went on to win the 2011 Anthony Award for Best First Novel. I can’t even begin to tell you how thrilled — and honored — I am.

Noir at the Bar: I’ve heard plenty about the infamous Noir at the Bar readings over the past few years, and it was a thrill to take part in the “Debauchercon” with Duane Swierczynski, John Rector, Glenn Gray, Matthew McBride, Laura Benedict, Matt Funk, and Jon McGoran. A big thank you to Jedidiah Ayres and Scott Phillips for having me there. My only regret: no one walked out when I read my story “Necessary Evil” from D*CKED.

Upcoming events: QuebeCrime (October 28-30, 2011) and Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (November 11-12, 2011). I can’t wait!

Paperback news: I just finished proofreading the pages a week ago. The Damage Done will be out in mass market paperback on January 3, 2012! (Hey, have you seen the new cover?)

The Next One to Fall: The sequel to The Damage Done comes out in the US and Canada on February 14, 2012. Having its release delayed because of the TDD paperback initially made me antsy, because I can’t wait for the new book to get into people’s hands. But that delay gave me breathing room to write a new book, a novella, and some short fiction. It’s also made planning the release of The Next One to Fall less stressful. I’ve been working on plenty of things behind the scenes — book tour, ARC giveaways, and a contest — so stay tuned for details. All will be revealed soon… well, some things will be revealed, anyway…

New book deal: Here’s the brief write-up from Publishers Marketplace: “Anthony Award winner Hilary Davidson’s untitled third novel featuring travel journalist Lily Moore, who discovers just how far an Acapulco resort will go to cover up a traveler’s disturbing disappearance, to Paul Stevens at Tor/Forge, in a two-book deal, for publication in March 2013, by Judith Weber at Sobel Weber Associates (NA).” Woohoo!

I’m heading to St. Louis on Wednesday, and I can’t wait to see friends, old and new, at Bouchercon. Last year was my first time at the conference, and I loved every moment (see photo for 2010′s Charlie’s Angels tableau). It was especially nice to see people I’d already met on Twitter and Facebook in person. If you see me, please say hi! (And don’t be scared if I hug you.) Here’s where to find me in St. Louis:

Wednesday, Sept. 14

8pm: Noir at the Bar. I’m reading with Duane Swierczynski, John Rector, and Glenn Gray. Free and open to all! Meshuggah Café, 6269 Delmar Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO; 314-726-5662

Thursday, Sept. 15

3:30-4pm: I’ll be at the Crimespree table in the Bouchercon Book Room

7pm-9pm: Bouchercon Opening Ceremonies, including announcement of the Macavity Awards (The Damage Done is up for Best First Novel)

Friday, Sept. 16

2:30-3:30: Bouchercon — I’m moderating a panel called “Monsters: Investigating crime in the age of social networking, Google, and technology.” My rock star panelists are J.T. Ellison, Chris Knopf, P. J. Parrish, Sam Reaves, & Mark Russinovich

Saturday, Sept. 17

4pm-5pm: Bouchercon — the amazing Laura Lippman will moderate a panel called “Payback: Contemplating the future of the genre” with Kathleen George, Bryan Gruley, Bill Loefelm, Duane Swierczynski, and me

Sunday, Sept. 18

8:30-9:30am: Bouchercon Pub Quiz team trivia — with Brad Parks, Chris F. Holm, Katrina Niidas Holm, Lauren O’Brien (that’s my team!) and whoever else shows up to play us… if they dare…

11am-1pm: Anthony Awards Brunch (The Damage Done is a nominee for Best First Novel)

You know that old saying, ‘It never rains but it pours’? That’s how it is with me and short fiction these days. I’ve published three new stories in the past couple of weeks; two are pieces I’ve been waiting the better part of a year to see in print. “Hedge Hog,” my Ellery Queen debut, is only available in print, but both “The Other Man” and “Sorry Bastard” are online. Opening paragraphs and links below!

“Hedge Hog” in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine (September/October 2011)

Harris Bulger was no gentleman. I knew that long before I got into bed with him. Truth be told, there was actually very little time from when we first shook hands till we slipped between the sheets together. Afterwards, he slapped my bottom and told me that I was better than an escort. Instead of smacking him back, I smiled, and we started seeing each other once or twice a week, always at his Upper East Side apartment. What Harris lacked in charm, his home made up for with its towering ceilings, open-air terrace, and breathtaking view of New York.

“The Other Man” in Beat to a Pulp

I knew I was a dead man when the cop walked into my bar. It was the way the cocksure bastard sauntered over the threshold, sniffed the moldiness of the stained oak panels, and smiled. Some little joke there, formulating in his bowling ball of a head. He drew his gun, checked the safety, and stuck it back in its holster. Oh, he was going to have a good time at my expense, and he was going to take his time about it.

“Sorry Bastard” in A Twist of Noir

Don didn’t have friends, but on the scale of people who bugged the hell out of him, Leo ranked low. So low Don saw him every couple months for drinks or pool or a game. Leo had a buddy who always scored good tickets.